Key for collapsible folding tubes



July 22, 1930. E. L. ROSTISER 9 9 KEY FOR COLLAPSIBLE FOLDING "[UBIEIS Filed May 23, 1928 NVENTOR. em 05113 2256 BY A TTORNEY.

v Patented July 22,1930

UNITED STATES EBEN LOUIS nosrrsua, or SOUTH BEND, INDIANA KEY FOR COLLAPSIBLE FOLDING TUBES Application filed May 23, 1928. Serial No. 280,108.

The invention relates to windingkeys for folding collapsible tubes, and has for its object to provide a device of this character which may be easily. applied to and removed from a folding collapsible tube. I

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will withstand back pressure in the tube and which will prevent the material within. the tube from being forced back of the key by'back pressure.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which can be formed from a single piece of metal, and which is adapted to volume production.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which may be easily and cheaply manufactured.

lVith the above and other objects in View, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth,

shown in thedrawing, described and claimed,

it being understood that changes inthe precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device showing it attached to the tube in operative position. I

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device showing it attached to a tube which has been partially exhausted of its contents.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of-the device.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of the movable jaw and the handle, and the manner in which the jaw is secured in clamped position by the handle.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a folding collapsible tube of the type commonly used for tooth paste, mucilage, and the like, having an open end 2, and a closed end 3. Clamped to the tube 1 at the closed end 3 thereof, is a winding key 4 which is integrally formed of spring wire or any other suitable material. The winding key 4 is comprised of a circularly bent handle member 5, a fixed jaw 6 carried by the handle, the U-shaped flexible portion 7 comprising an extension of the fixed jaw 6, and a movable contents, developed when a too rapid exhaustion is attempted backwardly between the jaws of the key. It will also be seen that the working portions of the j aws are longer than the tube is wide so as to obviate the possibility of back pressure forcing the material within the tube around the ends of the jaws into the closed rear portion of the tubes.

The free end of the movable jaw 8 is pro vided with a cup-like recess 9 which is adapted to receive the free end of the circular handle 5 to prevent lateral displacement thereof and thus securely hold the jaws in clamping relation.

It will be seen that the .flexible portion 7 connecting the jaws 6 and 8 will allow both lateral and vertical movement 'of the movable jaw 8. Therefore the key can be applied to the tube by moving the jaw 8 from its free position to a position below the .handle 5, with the end of the handle 5 resting in the recess 9. The key may be conveniently removed from a tube by unwinding the same and forcing the jaw 8 sidewardly clear of the handle 5 as will be obvious. It will also be seen that the circular handle 5 forms a convenient means whereby the tube may be hung upon a hook.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A key for winding collapsible tubes com-' prising a pair of spaced registering jaws, a

U-shaped flexible portion connectingsaid jaws at one end thereof, a handle carried by the free end of one of said jaws, means carried by the other jaw cooperating with said handle to lock said jaws in operative position the key as a whole being fashioned from a single strip of metal.

2. A winding key for collapsible tubes comprising a handle, a fixed jaw carried by said handle, a U-shaped spring member carried by said fixed jaw, a movable jaw carried by said spring and registering with said fixed jaw, said movable jaw having a recess formed in the outer face thereof into which the end of said handle is adapted to be received to lock said jaws in operative position.

3. A winding key for collapsible tubes C0111- prising a handle, a fixed jaw carried by said.

handle having its inner side striated, a spring carried by said jaw, and a fiat movable jaw carried by said spring and adapted to be secured in clamping position by said handle.

4. A key for winding collapsible tubes comprising a pair of spaced registering jaws flexibly connected together at one end thereof, a handle carried by the free end of one of said jaws, and means carried by the other jaw adapted to cooperate with the handle to lock said jaws in operative position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EBEN LOUIS ROSTISER. 

